When you get to London as an international student, you’ll soon realize how costs such as rent, groceries, transport, and tuition can pile up. You’ll also observe that the work culture is significantly different, featuring new methods of working, communicating, and perceiving creativity compared to your native country.
For me, part-time positions connected these two realms, assisting me in managing my finances and grasping the UK market, particularly from a marketing and customer experience viewpoint. My first and most enjoyable position was as a MORA Content Creator within Imperial’s central marketing team. It was amazing to get paid to produce content for a top university, and the experience had a positive impact on my year.
Becoming a MORA Content Creator meant supporting the team and crafting content for over 700,000 individuals across Imperial’s social media platforms. It involved storytelling and showcasing the student experience, mastering institutional communication, and comprehending the tone and authenticity that appeal to varied audiences.
This position provided unexpected chances, such as interviewing notable figures like Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty. Agreeing to that initial opportunity opened up everything. The MORA team is encouraging and fosters creativity. If you love storytelling and wish to partake in engaging content projects, this is among the best part-time jobs at Imperial.
There are numerous avenues to secure part-time employment while studying at Imperial. I found my role via Imperial’s internal job boards on JobsLive, LinkedIn, and career fairs during Welcome Week. Customize your CV for the position you’re targeting and demonstrate enthusiasm. Imperial’s Careers Service can assist with CVs, mock interviews, and job hunting. Employers value dependability, initiative, and friendliness, not solely experience.
Juggling work and studies necessitates organization. I arranged shifts during lighter class weeks. Keep in mind that your degree is the main focus, but a suitable part-time job can enrich your education. My marketing assignments felt more pertinent when connected to real-world roles.
Throughout my Master’s, I explored various jobs like waiter, event organizer, barista, and bartender. Each role imparted unique lessons. Hospitality work taught me customer service, patience, teamwork, and maintaining composure under stress. These skills have remained with me beyond the café environment.
Financially, part-time jobs were vital. I managed to cover rent, travel, and living costs and even saved a little money. As an international student, I was allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks, balancing earnings and rest.
It’s essential to adhere to visa regulations, as exceeding work hours can influence your visa status. Imperial offers guidance on this, and it’s prudent to verify conditions prior to accepting a position.
Reflecting on my part-time experience at Imperial, it was about more than just earning money. It was also about enhancing confidence, learning professionalism within a new culture, and engaging with diverse individuals. Whether making coffee or developing digital campaigns, every role teaches valuable lessons for the future.
If you’re beginning your Master’s and pondering how to balance finances while gaining practical experience, I suggest looking into part-time positions early on. A small “yes” today could lead to greater experiences than you ever anticipated.
To learn more about my journey, read my Imperial story.
By Guest Blogger
Categorised under Careers, Part-time job, postgraduate student life
Tagged part-time work, postgraduate work, student jobs, working as a student, working as an international student